Road Trip

 I did it ... I did it!

I asked for help and I got it!
I get to get off the farm and get
some me time for a mini
adventure!

The last time I actually had a 'day' off from being a Caregiver was in July 2021. But hey, who is counting, right?

692 days. But who is counting? 

Charlie and I are going to make this into mini road trip. I plan on stopping at a couple of SNA or State Natural Areas to do some exploring. The last time I was at Paradise Springs, it was April of 2017, just days before Rich's stroke.

Morris and I explored together and took a 'selfie' in the doorway of the Spring house. 👇

I think I want a do over with Charlie. I'm packing a lunch for Charlie and I to have on our drive. In reality, the drive across the state is not that terribly long.

But, I'll make it longer by taking a route for us to stop at a couple of places.

Morris and I used to do road trips often...he just loved riding in a car more than anything else in the world.

I'd often just take him in my old Jeep to a closed back road and let him 'hang out' the window while I idled down the road at about 5 mph. He thought he was king.

Charlie can't hang out the window and I made him a 'car seat' so he could at sort of see where we are going.

I've since added a sheet to the seat of the car as Charlie is often full of dirt and sand on his belly when we get back from hikes. This contraption  ended his motion sickness.

Now when I jingle the keys and ask if he wants to go for a ride, he runs to the passenger side of the Subaru and waits for me.

He is a pretty good travel companion but he whines a LOT more than any other dog I've ever had. He also has to comment each time I use a turn signal. 

Charlie will be meeting my son and his wife's new pup, Twila and the cats. If nothing else, it will be a fun animal fest.

This little trip and weekend is such a great birthday gift from my son and his wife as hosts and my friends who are going to care for hubby in my absence.

To say I am thankful is an understatement.

Later...tators.

I'm unplugging for the weekend!

Time Off

Well there it is, the Great Two Day Get Away has arrived this morning.

In a few hours I'll 'saddle' up the Subaru and drive 2 1/2 hours to meet up with a cousin. Well, a cousin in law? She is married to one of my cousins. She and I are both Caregivers. She has done this many more years than I have and I thought a little break for the both of us would be nice.

We've been planning this since last October. I don't know Jeanette very well, but we've talked on the phone and emailed quite a bit over the past couple of years. I feel completely comfortable and slightly excited to be able to spend some time with her.

We will be exploring Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The last time I even drove through Eau Claire has to have been years ago. Okay, nearly 30 years ago!

I had to make new arrangements for 'Rich Care' but I got that worked out. I must say, it is wonderful to have good friends. I won't have to worry about Charlie, and the chores either!

Charlie is the ultimate 'porch' dog. He is content to sit on his little rug on the porch and watch the world go by. He watches birds, and listens for the neighbor kids. He can still see them through the leafless trees and underbrush when they are down in the pasture playing. He watches the mules.
In short, Charlie is in charge of his little domain. He needs his rug, a chew bone, and water.

If it is a nice day, he prefers to spend his time on the porch and not watching me do things. I agree with him. The porch is a perfect place to be.

Allison came to visit me yesterday after she got home from the Waldorf clothing swap. She got me a rabbit fur neck wrap and a funky 1930's style mink band with a bow and netting on it for a hat. She is a delightful young lady and we went searching for bugs and bird nests.
Then she showed me the butterfly wings she found at the swap.

And I could not resist making a composite.

So off I go.
I feel pretty good about this. The first time since May 2017 that I have left my husband in the care of others for a short time...
It feels weird.

 Virginia Bluebells emerging!

Delicate yellow crocus

Time to put on my adventure hat.